From the Editor

It's no mystery to anyone who knows the slightest thing about me that I'm drawn to art or photography that has an overwhelmingly crushing and f'd up appearance. It's both a reflection and a response. When you couple that with a message about the environment, climate change, or rising sea levels, then you have my undivided attention.

So when Seth Adam Cook presented What I Saw in the Water to me during the 2022 ACP Portfolio Reviews, I was immediately hooked. There's a deep and disturbing yet stunningly beautiful quality to these works that create an atmosphere of fascination that doesn't let my eyes stray too far. The impressions of environmental ruin witnessed here have profound and lasting damage to our planet, and Cook sets it straight in these unreserved photographic illustrations.

On Cook's website or in his statement, you won't find much information about how the work is made or the materials used, so I'm going to uphold that vagueness for now and not mention it either. Let's suffice it to say that it's probably not what you might guess, making me find it even more intriguing. Indeed, the process is a cornerstone of each unique and three-dimensional piece – as much sculpture as photograph. Beyond this, however, the imagery is nuanced and helps set the tone and tell the story Cook wishes to express. There's a lot to take in from every one of these works he creates, allowing the viewer to ensconce themselves with each one for an extended time to take it all in. I find myself going over them time and time again, relishing in their richness and depth. It makes living with art like this a necessity, as it can be enjoyed while provoking thought and conversation. And who doesn't need that in their lives, right? So sit with this work yourself for a minute or two – you'll be happy you did.

–Michael Kirchoff @michaelkirchoff

What I Saw in the Water

What I Saw in the Water highlights the deterioration of the Gulf Coast, reflecting the detriment born from the environmental catastrophes that linger across the landscape. The aftermaths of Hurricane Katrina and Ida, the ecological disaster caused by the BP Oil Spill, and the slow environmental poisoning caused by petrochemical companies are a few examples of the sorrow plaguing the Gulf Coast. Growing up in the face of these issues, I use my work to reflect the current state of the Gulf Coast, pushing a conversation about growing up at the center of environmental destruction.

Using photography in conjunction with image transfer, I manipulate the surface area like wet paint, resulting in the smearing of the image, distortion, or complete removal of the original vision. By physically manipulating the photographic surface in this manner, this project emphasizes our continued hand in destroying the environment, therefore, breaking the illusion of control over containing the problems we experience in the face of our ecosystem's destruction. While the motivation for the series is rooted in my experiences and fears of losing my homeland, universal themes resonate throughout: environmental destruction, ruminations on the landscape and its effects on identity, cultural history, and the importance of remembering. Grief is necessary to remember when thinking of the Gulf Coast, and the suffering, both past and present, is etched into the culture. While catastrophic events come and go, the damage remains on the seafloor, waiting to resurface.

–Seth Adam Cook

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About the Artist

Seth Cook is an artist from the Bayou Teche region of south-central Louisiana. He utilizes the swamps and marshes of his home as a point of departure for his versatile studio practice. Cook holds a B.F.A. in studio art from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, and an M.F.A. in photography from Indiana University, Bloomington. In 2021, he was awarded 'Juror's Selection' from the New York Center for Photographic Art for his alternative process photography. In 2020, he was named one of Lenscratch's 'Top 25 to Watch.' Also, in 2020, he accepted a ten-month residency with Manifest Creative Research Gallery and Drawing Center in Cincinnati, OH, where he worked and taught as their 'Scholar in Residence.' His work has been displayed nationally and internationally, including in South Korea, Louisiana, New York, California, Colorado, and Massachusetts.

sadamcook.com

@s.adamcook.art

About the author

Michael Kirchoff works in the worlds of both commercial and fine art photography. A commercial shooter for over thirty years, it is his fine art work that has set him apart from others, with instant film and toy camera images fueling several bodies of work. His consulting, training, and overall support of his fellow photographic artist continues with assistance in constructing one’s vision, reviewing portfolios, and finding exhibition opportunities, which fill the gaps in time away from active shooting. 

Michael is also an independent curator and juror, and advocate for the photographic arts. Currently, he is also Editor-in-Chief at Analog Forever Magazine, and is the Founding Editor for the online photographer interview website, Catalyst: Interviews. Previously, Michael spent over four years as Editor at BLUR magazine.